Abstract
The multilevel image thresholding is one of the important steps in multimedia tools to understand and interpret the object in the real world. Nevertheless, 1-D Masi entropy is quite new in the thresholding application. However, the 1-D Masi entropy-based image thresholding fails to consider the contextual information. To address this problem, we propose a 2-D Masi entropy-based multilevel image thresholding by utilizing a 2-D histogram, which ensures the contextual information during the thresholding process. The computational complexity in multilevel thresholding increases due to the exhaustive search process, which can be reduced by a nature-inspired optimizer. In this work, we propose a leader Harris hawks optimization (LHHO) for multilevel image thresholding, to enhance the exploration capability of Harris hawks optimization (HHO). The increased exploration can be achieved by an adaptive perching during the exploration phase together with a leader-based mutation-selection during each generation of Harris hawks. The performance of LHHO is evaluated using the standard classical 23 benchmark functions and found better than HHO. The LHHO is employed to obtain optimal threshold values using 2-D Masi entropy-based multilevel thresholding objective function. For the experiments, 500 images from the Berkeley segmentation dataset (BSDS 500) are considered. A comparative study on state-of-the-art algorithm-based thresholding methods, using segmentation metrics such as – peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), and the feature similarity index (FSIM), is performed. The experimental results reveal a remarkable difference in the thresholding performance. For instance, the average PSNR values (computed over 500 images) for the level 5 are increased by 2% to 4% in case of 2-D Masi entropy over 1-D Masi entropy.














Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agrawal S, Panda R, Bhuyan S, Panigrahi BK (2013) Tsallis entropy based optimal multilevel thresholding using cuckoo search algorithm. Swarm Evol Comput 11:16–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.swevo.2013.02.001
Agrawal S, Panda R, Abraham A (2018) A novel diagonal class entropy-based multilevel image Thresholding using coral reef optimization. IEEE Trans Syst man, Cybern Syst:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSMC.2018.2859429
Ahmadi M, Kazemi K, Aarabi A, Niknam T, Helfroush MS (2019) Image segmentation using multilevel thresholding based on modified bird mating optimization. Multimed Tools Appl 78:23003–23027. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-019-7515-6
Ayala HVH, dos Santos FM, Mariani VC, dos Coelho LS (2015) Image thresholding segmentation based on a novel beta differential evolution approach. Expert Syst Appl 42:2136–2142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2014.09.043
Baby Resma KP, Nair MS (2018) Multilevel thresholding for image segmentation using krill herd optimization algorithm. J King Saud Univ - Comput Inf Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksuci.2018.04.007
Barthelemy P, Bertolotti J, Wiersma DS (2008) A levy flight for light. Nature 453:495–498
Bhandari A (2015) Tsallis entropy based multilevel Thresholding for colored satellite image segmentation using evolutionary algorithms. Expert Syst Appl 42:8707–8730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2015.07.025
Bhandari AK, Singh VK, Kumar A, Singh GK (2014) Cuckoo search algorithm and wind driven optimization based study of satellite image segmentation for multilevel thresholding using Kapur’s entropy. Expert Syst Appl 41:3538–3560. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2013.10.059
Chen Y, He F, Li H, Zhang D, Wu Y (2020) A full migration BBO algorithm with enhanced population quality bounds for multimodal biomedical image registration. Appl Soft Comput 93:106335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2020.106335
Dhiman G, Kaur A (2019) STOA: a bio-inspired based optimization algorithm for industrial engineering problems. Eng Appl Artif Intell 82:148–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2019.03.021
Education H, Shahabi F, Pourahangarian F, Beheshti H (2019) A multilevel image thresholding approach based on crow search algorithm and Otsu method. J J Decis Oper Res 4:33–41. https://doi.org/10.22105/dmor.2019.88580
El Aziz MA, Ewees AA, Hassanien AE (2017) Whale optimization algorithm and moth-flame optimization for multilevel thresholding image segmentation. Expert Syst Appl 83:242–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2017.04.023
Freixenet J, Muñoz X, Raba D et al (2002) Yet another survey on image segmentation: region and boundary information integration. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp 408–422
Fu KS, Mui JK (1981) A survey on image segmentation. Pattern Recogn 13:3–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-3203(81)90028-5
Gandomi AH, Yang X-S, Alavi AH (2011) Mixed variable structural optimization using firefly algorithm. Comput Struct 89:2325–2336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2011.08.002
Gandomi A, Yang X-S, Alavi A (2013) Cuckoo search algorithm: a metaheuristic approach to solve structural optimization problems. Eng Comput 29:245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00366-012-0308-4
Gao H, Xu W, Sun J, Tang Y (2010) Multilevel Thresholding for image segmentation through an improved quantum-behaved particle swarm algorithm. IEEE Trans Instrum Meas 59:934–946. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2009.2030931
Hammouche K, Diaf M, Siarry P (2008) A multilevel automatic thresholding method based on a genetic algorithm for a fast image segmentation. Comput Vis Image Underst 109:163–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cviu.2007.09.001
Heidari AA, Mirjalili S, Faris H, Aljarah I, Mafarja M, Chen H (2019) Harris hawks optimization: algorithm and applications. Futur Gener Comput Syst 97:849–872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.future.2019.02.028
Horng MHM-H (2010) Multilevel minimum cross entropy threshold selection based on the honey bee mating optimization. Expert Syst Appl 37:4580–4592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2009.12.050
Horng MHM-H (2011) Multilevel thresholding selection based on the artificial bee colony algorithm for image segmentation. Expert Syst Appl 38:13785–13791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2011.04.180
Horng MHM-H, Liou RJR-J (2011) Multilevel minimum cross entropy threshold selection based on the firefly algorithm. Expert Syst Appl 38:14805–14811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2011.05.069
Jia H, Peng X, Song W et al (2019) Masi entropy for satellite color image segmentation using tournament-based Lévy multiverse optimization algorithm. Remote Sens 11:942. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11080942
Kandhway P, Bhandari AK (2019) A water cycle algorithm-based multilevel Thresholding system for color image segmentation using Masi entropy. Circuits, Syst Signal Process 38:3058–3106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00034-018-0993-3
Kapur JNN, Sahoo PKK, Wong AKCKC (1985) A new method for gray-level picture thresholding using the entropy of the histogram. Comput Vision, Graph Image Process 29:273–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/0734-189X(85)90125-2
Khairuzzaman AKM, Chaudhury S (2017) Multilevel thresholding using grey wolf optimizer for image segmentation. Expert Syst Appl 86:64–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2017.04.029
Khairuzzaman AK, Chaudhury S (2019) Masi entropy based multilevel thresholding for image segmentation. Multimed Tools Appl 78:33573–33591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-019-08117-8
Li H, He F, Liang Y, Quan Q (2020) A dividing-based many-objective evolutionary algorithm for large-scale feature selection. Soft Comput 24:6851–6870. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-019-04324-5
Li H, He F, Chen Y, Luo J (2020) Multi-objective self-organizing optimization for constrained sparse array synthesis. Swarm Evol Comput 58:100743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.swevo.2020.100743
Li H, He F, Chen Y (2020) Learning dynamic simultaneous clustering and classification via automatic differential evolution and firework algorithm. Appl Soft Comput 96:106593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2020.106593
Liang Y, He F, Zeng X (2020) 3D mesh simplification with feature preservation based on whale optimization algorithm and differential evolution. Integr Comput Aided Eng 27:417–435. https://doi.org/10.3233/ICA-200641
Liao P-S, Chen T-S, Chung P-C (2001) A fast algorithm for multilevel Thresholding. J Inf Sci Eng 17:713–727
Liu J, Li W, Tian Y (1991) Automatic thresholding of gray-level pictures using two-dimension Otsu method. In: China., 1991 international conference on circuits and systems, vol 1, pp 325–327
Martin D, Fowlkes C, Tal D, Malik J (2001) A database of human segmented natural images and its application to evaluating segmentation algorithms and measuring ecological statistics. In: Proceedings eighth IEEE international conference on computer vision, ICCV 2001, vol 2, pp 416–423
Masi M (2005) A step beyond Tsallis and Renyi entropies. Phys Lett A 338:217–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physleta.2005.01.094
Mirjalili S (2015) Moth-flame optimization algorithm: a novel nature-inspired heuristic paradigm. Knowledge-Based Syst 89:228–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knosys.2015.07.006
Mirjalili S, Mirjalili SM, Lewis A (2014) Grey wolf optimizer. Adv Eng Softw 69:46–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2013.12.007
Mlakar U, Potočnik B, Brest J (2016) A hybrid differential evolution for optimal multilevel image thresholding. Expert Syst Appl 65:221–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2016.08.046
Naik MK, Panda R (2016) A novel adaptive cuckoo search algorithm for intrinsic discriminant analysis based face recognition. Appl Soft Comput 38:661–675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2015.10.039
Naik MK, Samantaray L, Panda R (2016) A hybrid CS–GSA algorithm for optimization. In: Hybrid soft computing approaches: research and applications, pp 3–35
Naik MK, Wunnava A, Jena B, Panda R (2020) 1. Nature-inspired optimization algorithm and benchmark functions: a literature survey. In: Bisht DCS, Ram M (eds) Computational Intelligence, 3rd edn. De Gruyter, Berlin, Boston, pp 1–26
Nie F, Zhang P, Li J, Ding D (2017) A novel generalized entropy and its application in image thresholding. Signal Process 134:23–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sigpro.2016.11.004
Otsu (1979) Otsu_1979_otsu_method. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern C:62–66. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSMC.1979.4310076
Pal NR, Pal SK (1989) Entropic thresholding. Signal Process 16:97–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1684(89)90090-X
Pal NR, Pal SK (1993) A review on image segmentation techniques. Pattern Recogn 26:1277–1294. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-3203(93)90135-J
Panda R, Agrawal S, Bhuyan S (2013) Edge magnitude based multilevel thresholding using cuckoo search technique. Expert Syst Appl 40:7617–7628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2013.07.060
Panda R, Agrawal S, Samantaray L, Abraham A (2017) An evolutionary gray gradient algorithm for multilevel thresholding of brain MR images using soft computing techniques. Appl Soft Comput 50:94–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2016.11.011
Pavesic N, Ribaric S (2000) Gray level thresholding using the Havrda and Charvat entropy. In: 2000 10th Mediterranean Electrotechnical conference. Information technology and Electrotechnology for the Mediterranean countries. Proceed MeleCon (cat. No.00CH37099) 2:631–634
Peng-Yeng Y, Ling-Hwei C (1994) A new method for multilevel thresholding using symmetry and duality of the histogram. In: proceedings of ICSIPNN ‘94. International Conference on Speech, Image Processing and Neural Networks. Pp 45–48 vol.1
Portes de Albuquerque M, Esquef IA, Gesualdi Mello AR, Portes de Albuquerque M (2004) Image thresholding using Tsallis entropy. Pattern Recogn Lett 25:1059–1065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patrec.2004.03.003
Rao RV, Patel V (2013) An improved teaching-learning-based optimization algorithm for solving unconstrained optimization problems. Sci Iran 20:710–720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scient.2012.12.005
Renyi A (1961) On measures of entropy and information. In: Proceedings of the fourth Berkeley symposium on mathematical statistics and probability, volume 1: contributions to the theory of statistics. University of California Press, Berkeley, Calif, pp 547–561
Sahoo PK, Arora G (2004) A thresholding method based on two-dimensional Renyi’s entropy. Pattern Recogn 37:1149–1161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patcog.2003.10.008
Sahoo PK, Arora G (2006) Image thresholding using two-dimensional Tsallis–Havrda–Charvát entropy. Pattern Recogn Lett 27:520–528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patrec.2005.09.017
Sahoo PK, Soltani S, Wong AKC (1988) A survey of thresholding techniques. Comput Vision, Graph Image Process 41:233–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/0734-189X(88)90022-9
Sankur B, Sezgin M (2001) Image thresholding techniques: a survey over categories. Pattern Recogn 34:1573–1583
Sarkar S, Das S (2013) Multilevel image Thresholding based on 2D histogram and maximum Tsallis entropy— a differential evolution approach. IEEE Trans Image Process 22:4788–4797. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIP.2013.2277832
Sathya PD, Kayalvizhi R (2011) Modified bacterial foraging algorithm based multilevel thresholding for image segmentation. Eng Appl Artif Intell 24:595–615. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2010.12.001
Sezgin M, Sankur B (2004) Survey over image thresholding techniques and quantitative performance evaluation. J Electron Imaging 13:146–168. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.1631315
Shubham S, Bhandari AK (2019) A generalized Masi entropy based efficient multilevel thresholding method for color image segmentation. Multimed Tools Appl 78:17197–17238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-018-7034-x
Simon D (2009) Biogeography-based optimization. Evol Comput IEEE Trans 12:702–713. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEVC.2008.919004
Song JH, Cong W, Li JJ (2017) A fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm for image segmentation using nonlinear weighted local information. J Inf Hiding Multimed Signal Process 8:578–588
Sri Madhava Raja N, Rajinikanth V, Latha K (2014) Otsu based optimal multilevel image Thresholding using firefly algorithm. J Model Simul Eng 2014:17–17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/794574
Tsallis C (1988) Possible generalization of Boltzmann-Gibbs statistics. J Stat Phys 52:479–487. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01016429
Tsallis C (2001) Nonextensive statistical mechanics and its applications. Lect Notes Phys 560:3–98
Upadhyay P, Chhabra JK (2019) Kapur’s entropy based optimal multilevel image segmentation using. Crow Search Algorithm Appl Soft Comput:105522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2019.105522
Xing Z, Jia H (2020) Modified thermal exchange optimization based multilevel thresholding for color image segmentation. Multimed Tools Appl 79:1137–1168. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-019-08229-1
Yang X-S (2010) Nature-inspired Metaheuristic algorithms
Yang X-S (2012) Flower pollination algorithm for global optimization. In: Durand-Lose J, Jonoska N (eds) Unconventional computation and natural computation: 11th international conference, UCNC 2012, Orléan, France, September 3–7, 2012. Proceedings. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp 240–249
Yang X-S, Gandomi A (2012) Bat algorithm: a novel approach for global engineering optimization. Eng Comput 29:464–483. https://doi.org/10.1108/02644401211235834
Yao X, Yong L, Guangming L (1999) Evolutionary programming made faster. Evol Comput IEEE Trans 3:82–102. https://doi.org/10.1109/4235.771163
Yin P-Y (2007) Multilevel minimum cross entropy threshold selection based on particle swarm optimization. Appl Math Comput 184:503–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amc.2006.06.057
Yin P-Y, Chen L-H (1997) A fast iterative scheme for multilevel thresholding methods. Signal Process 60:305–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-1684(97)00080-7
Zaitoun NM, Aqel MJ (2015) Survey on image segmentation techniques. Procedia Comput Sci 65:797–806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2015.09.027
Zhang Y, Wu L (2011) Optimal Multi-Level Thresholding Based on Maximum Tsallis Entropy via an Artificial Bee Colony Approach 13:841–859
Zhang H, Fritts JE, Goldman SA (2008) Image segmentation evaluation: a survey of unsupervised methods. Comput Vis Image Underst 110:260–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cviu.2007.08.003
Zhang L, Zhang L, Mou X et al (2011) FSIM: a feature similarity index for image quality assessment. IEEE Trans Image Process 20:2378–2386. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIP.2011.2109730
Zhiwei Y, Zhaobao Z, Xin Y, Xiaogang N (2005) Automatic threshold selection based on ant colony optimization algorithm. In: 2005 international conference on neural networks and brain, pp 728–732
Zhou W, Bovik AC, Sheikh HR, Simoncelli EP (2004) Image quality assessment: from error visibility to structural similarity. IEEE Trans Image Process 13:600–612. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIP.2003.819861
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Appendix 1. Test functions
Appendix 1. Test functions
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Naik, M.K., Panda, R., Wunnava, A. et al. A leader Harris hawks optimization for 2-D Masi entropy-based multilevel image thresholding. Multimed Tools Appl 80, 35543–35583 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-020-10467-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-020-10467-7